Article dispenser means



March 21, 1961 D. E. RUECKERT ARTICLE DISPENSER MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed 000. 7, 1957 De c2 77 .E Puecerl IN VEN TOR.

BY M a ATTORNEY March 21, 1961 D. E. RUECKERT 2,976,096

ARTICLE DISPENSER MEANS Filed Oct. 7, 1957 2 SheetsSheet 2 F/ a. 5. DeanE, Pueclzert INVENTOR.

BY WW;

ATTORNEY United States Patent ARTICLE DISPENSER MEANS Dean E. Rueckert,Mokena, IlL, assignor to Swift 8: "Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporationof Iiiinois Filed Oct. 7, 1957, Ser. No. 688,763

2 Claims. (Cl. 312-71) This invention relates in general to a displaychest adapted to contain a variety of articles stored within cellstherein in stacks with the uppermost article of each stack maintained ata desired level. More specifically, this invention relates particularlyto an improved storage cell and a novel lifting device within said cellfor displaying and dispensingarticles stored therein.

I am aware that certain apparatus of the same general type have beendesigned. However, the prior apparatus have not been widely accepted.Possibly this lack of acceptance has been due to the fact that they haveincorporated stop members at the upper extremity of the cells to arrestthe upward movement of the stack of articles therein. Such anarrangement makes it unduly cumbersome to deposit articles Within thecells and to remove them therefrom. Also, it has been observed thatwhere articles are lifted through substantial vertical distances it hasbeen necessary to resort to a complicated means for lifting saidarticles. If a resilient means suchas a single spring is employed, thespring tends to buckle and hinder proper operation of the apparatus. Afurther difiiculty encountered in the prior devices is the necessity forthe removal of all the articles stored therein for purposes of takinginventory. It is readily understood that the majority of the articlesare hidden from view and heretofore there has been no means for quicklymeasuring the quantity of articles beneath the uppermost layer.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an automaticdispenser-display apparatus wherein articles may be supported accuratelyat a predetermined level without theneed of a stop member.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dispenser-displayapparatus of the spring loaded type wherein the tendency for thespringto buckle and its consequent disadvantages are reduced.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for quickly andaccurately determining the number'of In general this invention isdirected to a plurality of article storage cells which may be assembledWithin a storage chest of either the refrigerated or non-refrigeratedtype. Each cell comprises vertical guide means about its periphery and alifting device for supporting a stack of articles therein. The guidemeans are of a material having a low coefficient of friction, and bear avertical scale calibrated with a series of convenient symbols or digits.The lifting device comprisesan upper platform and an anchor plate vw'tha suitable resilient means interposed therebetween. Preferably, theresilient means consists of a combination of at least a pair of shortercompression springs mounted one atop the other; however, in someinstances a single spring may prove sufficient. Conveniently, theresilient means. is especially-selected with Y 2,976,096- Patented Mar.21 g 1 961 respect to the articles to be stored in the well so that theweight of each article will compress the spring a distance definition ofthe invention, reference being had to the ap-' pended claims for thispurpose. In said drawings:

1 Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of a display case embodyingthe present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an article storagecell incorporating substantially continuous walls and illustrating theposition of rub strips and a calibrated scale;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the articlestorage cell comprising a plurality of vertical guides, one of whichincorporates a calibrated scale;

Figure 4 illustrates the lifting device, which may be inserted intoeither of the wells shown in Figures 1 and 2, having the preferredstructure of a multiple spring resilient means; and

Figure 5 is an end View of the lifting device within a cell such asshown in Figure 3 with one vertical guide removed.

The chest, generally 10, shown in Figure 1, contains a plurality ofstorage cells of the types illustrated in both Figures 2 and 3. Thischest is in the form of an open display case enclosed by rigid sidewalls 11, 12, end walls 13, 14, and a bottom (not shown). Additionally,chest 10 may be either refrigerated or non-refrigerated as thecircumstances require; however, if it is refrigerated, the

a part of this invention and any suitable apparatus may be employed. Ifthe chest 10 is either the self-contained refrigerated or thenon-refrigerated type, it may be conveniently mounted on casters 15 tofacilitate transporting the chest and its contents to a desirablelocation. A chest so provided with casters 15 may be moved to a storeroom when being stocked with new product, thus avoiding a crowdedcondition on the sales floor.

Referring to Figures'2 and 3, two embodiments of article storage cells,generally 17 and 17A, respectively, may be seen. Cell 17, illustrated inFigure 2, comprises four vertical walls 18, forming arectangularenclosure. When the cell 17 is to be used in a refrigeratedchest,- it is advantageous to provide openings 19 in at least a portionof each wall to allow circulation of the chilled air throughout theapparatus and in proximity to the articles stored therein. Rub strips 20are secured to the inner surfaces of the walls 18 in any suitablemanner, such as by an adhesive. These rub strips 20 are of a materialhaving a low coeflicient of friction and minimize the drag between thecell walls 18 and articles stored therein. Plastic rub stripsmanufactured from nylon and Teflon have proved satisfactory. Anotherdesirable feature inherent in this structure is that the strip 20maintain a space between the cell walls -18 and articles within thecell, thus providing a passage for chilled air when the cell 17 isemployed in a refrigerated chest. I

A vertical scale 21 is positioned along a corner formed by two walls 18.The scale 21 may be calibrated in any convenient series of symbols ordigits and may be graduated in increments equal to the height ofindividual articles which ,are to be stored within the cell. However, asimple measuring scale calibrated in inches and fractions is sufficientand may be related to any articles which may be stored within theapparatus.

A second embodiment of an article storage cell is illustrated in Figure3 which shows a cell, generally 17A. This cell consists of a pluralityof upstanding vertical guides 23 placed about its periphery. Cell 17A isespecially adaptable to refrigerated storage chests since maximumcirculation of chilled air is permitted by its open type construction.Further, when the guides 23 are manufactured from a suitable smoothmaterial, rub strips as provided in cell 17 are unnecessary. It has beenfound that chrome-plated steel rod is highly satisfactory with regard tolow friction characteristics and ease of maintenance. In the illustratedembodiment such steel rod is formed into inverted U shaped guides 23.Also, in this type cell structure, a scale 21 is calibrated directly onthe surface of one guide 23 facing the interior of the cell 17A.

In both of the above described embodiments of cell 17 and 17A, thestructures shown include base plates 25 and 25A respectively. In eachinstance the base plate 25, 25A is no larger than the outer dimensionsof the cell 17, 17A and, therefore, a plurality of individual cell unitsmay be placed side by side in close proximity within a single chest 10.Several sizes of cells may be employed in the same chest as well ascombinations of both types of cells 17 and 17A (as illustrated in Figure1). The base plates 25, 25A may be omitted in certain instances wherethe cells 17, 17A can be mounted directly to the bottom of chest 10.This may readily be accomplished with cell 17; however, specialprovision to seat the ends of guides 23 must be provided in the bottomof the chest 10 where cell 17A is employed.

A lifting device, generally 30, is removably associated with both typecells 17, 17A. Figure 4 illustrates the preferred structure of such alifting device 30. An upper platform 31 is suspended above an anchorplate 32 by a resilient means, generally 33. The upper platform 31 maybe fabricated from a piece of light gauge sheet metal stock which isbent to form a supporting surface 34 and downwardly extending sidepieces 35. Anchor plate 32 is a flat piece of metal stock. In someinstances a single compression spring may be adequate to perform thefunction of the resilient means 33. However, where the uncompressedlength of the resilient means 33, between platform 31 and anchor plate32, exceeds about twelve inches, it has been found that a singlecompression spring has a marked tendency to buckle outwardly toward thecell walls and thus cease to function properly. The chest 10 describedabove is of a normal sales counter height, and the cells '17, 17Atherein usually have a depth of about thirty inches. In the preferredembodiment, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the tendency to buckle isovercome by constructing the resilient means 33 from at least a pair ofcompression springs 36, 37 having equal outside diameters.

A wide variety of compression springs are available in the commercialmarket. Normally such springs are helically wound coils having theterminal coil at either end wound in a single plane, rather than ahelix, to form a dead coil and enable the spring to be mountedaccurately upon fiat surfaces. It has been found that if two of thesesprings 36, 37 are secured together (as illustrated in Figures 4 and endto end one atop the other with a flat terminal coil 38 of spring 36secured to a similar coil 39 of spring 37, the combination springresists the tendency to buckle when loaded, to a remarkable extent. Thesprings may be secured by welding, brazing, taping, or clipping;however, for reasons of economy, taping and clipping are preferred.Resistance to buckling is attributed to the leveling and stabilizingeffect of the dead coils 38, 39 at a point between the free ends of thecombined springs 36, 37. Such a combined spring is secured to theunderside of platform 31 and to the upper surface of plate 32.Additionally, a restraining chain 40 is atface of the uppermost article.

tached to the plate 32 by means of a clevis 41 at the axis of spring 37;and is similarly secured to the underside of platform 31. The functionof chain 40 is twofold: it provides a second connection between plate 32and platform 31 thus allowing the entire lifting device 30 to be placedin or removed from a cell 17, 17A, by grasping the upper platform 31,without unduly extending and permanently distorting the resilient means33 thereby; and secondly, it prevents the platform 31 from being forcedupwardly, by the resilient means 33, above the confines of a cell whenin an unloaded condition.

As may be observed in Figure 5, an embodiment of this invention isdesigned to support the uppermost article at, or slightly above, theupper extremity of a cell 17A. In this manner, the uppermost article mayeasily be grasped and removed by a prospective purchaser, and replacedif necessary, even when the article is surrounded by other articlessimilarly supported. To so position the last article in a stack, it isnecessary that the combined springs 36, 37 be of an uncompressed lengthequal to the distance between the upper surface of plate 32 and theundersurface of plat-form 31, when a single article is supported thereonat the desired level, plus an amount equal to the deflection of thecombined springs due to the weight of a single package. As previouslyindicated. it is necessary to select springs 36, 37 to provide theresilient means 33 with the characteristic of deflecting an amount equalto the thickness of an article when subjected to a load equal to theweight of an article. Thus, when springs 36, 37 are selected inaccordance with the above requirements and the device is loaded with astack of articles, the uppermost article of the stack will be maintainedat the desired level.

Chain 40 is of a length equal to the distance from the upper surface ofplate 32 to the top of well 17A plus an amount less than the height ofside pieces 35. Therefore, the platform 31 will be restrained by chain40 from raising completely above the cell 17A even when completelyunloaded and regardless of the uncompressed length of springs 36, 37.While operation of the apparatus will have become apparent from theforegoing description, it is to be noted that cells 17, 17A maybeconstructed in any desired shape andsize to accommodate a wide varietyof articles. Likewise, a lifting device 30 is tailored to match aparticular type cell. Platform 31 and plate 32 must be of a size andshape to slide freely within the cell and the resilient means 33 shouldbe selected in accordance with the dimensions of the cell and the weightand thickness of the articles to be stacked therein. A plurality ofcells 17, 17A, with their respective lifting devices 30 are thenconveniently arranged Within a chest 10 as shown in Figure l. The cellsare then stocked with the desired articles which may be rectangularpackages, circular containers, cylindrical cans, etc. It has been foundthat this apparatus may be loaded with ordinary canned goods. such asthose put up in cylindrical containers, stacked with the axes of thecans disposed horizontally and parallel to the platform 31. Verticalmovement of the stack will not rotate any of the cans therein. However,when the cells are loaded with cylindrical containers it is necessary toselect springs 36, 37 of a length which will not raise more than onehalf of the uppermost article above the top of the cell. Otherwise, thecontainer would tend to roll off the stack.

Inventory of the articles remaining in the cells may be taken readily bymanually depressing each stack and noting the calibration on scale 21opposite the top sur- This calibration will represent a certain quantityof articles dependent upon the thickness of individual articles and theheight of the lifting device 30 when fully compressed.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the out departing fromthe spirit and scope thereof, and

therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated inthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for dispensing articles comprising: a vertical cellhaving a bottom portion, side members and an open top portion forconfining articles in generally vertically stacked relation, verticalrub strips secured to each side member for spacing the stacked articlestherefrom, and resilient means disposed between the bottom portion ofsaid cell and the stacked articles there in adapted for supporting saidarticles with the top of the uppermost article at a preselected levelabove the top of said cell and urging said stacked articles upwardly aseach successive uppermost article is removed, said resilient meansconsisting of a compression spring having at least one dead coil spacedbetween said articles and the bottom of said cell.

2. An apparatus to display and dispense articles comprising: ahorizontal chest having an open top portion, a plurality of verticalcells within said chest for storing stacks of said articles, a verticalscale within each cell for measuring the amount of articles stackedtherein, a platform disposed Within each cell and slidable verticallytherein for supporting the stack of articles, vertical rub strips Withineach cell for spacing said platform and articles from the walls thereof,and means in each cell for urging the platform and articles upwardly andadapted for supporting said articles with the top of each successiveuppermost article at a preselected level, said means consisting of aplurality of helical compression springs having flattened end coils andsecured end to end to form a single compression spring having at leastone dead coil.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS210,688 Haviland Dec. 10, 1878 1,565,822 Smith Dec. 15, 1925 1,595,266Turner Aug. 10, 1926 1,971,541 Taber Aug. 28, 1934 2,226,308 Gibbs Dec.24, 1940 2,251,876 Gibbs Aug. 5, 1941 2,284,225 Norris May 26, 19422,426,995 Gibbs Sept. 9, 1947 2,598,156 Brill et al May 27, 19522,609,265 Larsen Sept. 2, 1952 2,628,876 Simonian et a1 Feb. 17, 19532,692,177 Larsen Oct. 19, 1954 2,791,006 Eichler May 7, 1957 2,804,181Haynes Aug. 27, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 388,878 France i June 12, 1908577,117 Germany May 27, 1933 806,327 Germany June 14, 1951 1,095,413France Dec. 22, 1954

